Can opener key and tear strip guide



NOV. 8, F E SQRENSEN CAN OPENER KEY AND TEAR STRIP GUIDE Filed Aug. 27, 1953 I Frank E. .Sorensen \g \6 IN V EN TOR.

Fig. 3 BY W -MW United States Patent CAN OPENER KEY AND TEAR STRIP GUIDE Frank E. Sorensen, Wasilla, Territory of Alaska Application August 27, 1953, Serial No. 376,814

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-52) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in guides for keys used for opening cans of the type comprising a removable tear strip and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which willfully protect the fingers of the operator against injury and which, further, will confine the tear strip as it is removed to a tightly wound coil on the key.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a can opener key guide of the aforementioned character which is readily operable in either direction around the can.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a can opener'key guide of the character set forth embodying a unique construction whereby the key may be readily mounted thereon or removed therefrom.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a guide of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a guide constructed in accordance with the present invention in use.

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section through the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates generally a substantially rectangular frame of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The frame 5, which may also be of any desired dimensions, is stamped and formed from a single piece of material.

The frame 5 includes side walls 6 and end walls 7. A suitable joint 8 connects the ends of the blank, as at 9, from which the frame 5 is formed.

The side walls 6 of the frame 5 have formed therein substantially V-shaped, transversely aligned recesses or notches 10. Then, the substantially V-shaped notches 10 are provided with substantially segmental bight portions 11 constituting bearings for the reception of the usual 2,723,047 Patented Nov. 8, 1955 longitudinally slotted portion of the shank 12 of a conventional opener key 13.

It is thought that the manner in which the device is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the rectangular frame 5 is positioned circumferentially on the can, as at 14, over the tab end of the tear strip 15 of said can. The key 13 is engaged in the bearings 11 and the tab end of the strip 15 is inserted in the slot 16 of said key in the usual manner. The key 13 is then turned through the medium of the handle 17 for winding the tear strip 15 thereon. The construction and arrangement is such that the fingers and thumb of the operator will be fully protected from the sharp, rough edges of the tear strip while said strip will be wound in a relatively tight coil, as at 18, about said key. As the tear strip is wound on the key the frame 5 is caused to travel circumferentially around the can 14. The construction is such that the frame 5 is operable in either direction. When the tear strip 15 has been removed the key 13, with said strip wound thereon, may be readily removed from the frame 5 and the device is ready to be used again. The widely angled walls of the notches 10 facilitate engaging the shank 12 of the key 13 in the bearings 11.

In the modification shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, reference character 20 designates generally a substantially rectangular foldable frame comprising side and end walls 21 and 22 respectively, the former having key receiving notches 23 therein which are similar to the notches 10. The walls 21 and 22 of the frame 20 are pivotally connected by piano type hinges 24. A hook or flange 25 is provided on one of the end walls 22 for engagement with the adjacent end of one of the side Walls 21. There is thus provided a frame which may be readily opened or folded to a substantially flat position. The frame 20 is used in substantially the same manner as the frame 5 shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

It is believed that the many advantages of a key opener guide constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An opening key guide of the character described com prising a substantially rectangular foldable frame including hingedly connected side and end walls, said side walls having transversely aligned notches therein for the reception of an opening key, said notches including substantially segmental bight portions providing bearings for the key.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,899 Brown June 9, 1908 1,198,524 Cunliffe Sept. 19, 1916 1,313,645 Simon Aug. 19, 1919 2,572,820 Schluter Oct. 23, 1951 2,612,287 Snook Sept. 20, 1952 2,660,331 Inman Nov. 24, 1953 

